Evelyn Keller, Russell
May 16, 1930 - November 26, 2021
Evelyn āJakeā was born on May 16th, 1930 to Matilda and George Thomas. She passed on November 26, 2021 at the age of 91 years, 6 months, and 10 days.
Jake was the middle child of three siblings. She grew up and attended grade school in the rural Hunter area and always rode her horse to school when she could. She graduated from Hunter High School.
On February 17, 1952, Jake married the love of her life, Richard Keller. Together they were blessed with a son, Rick, and a daughter, Kathy.
Jake and her family attended the United Methodist Church. Then when she got married, she was confirmed into the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Jake and Richard shared a love for farming and raising livestock together. Jake spent her whole life as a very hard-working farmer; despite being small in stature, she was mighty and there was no job too big for her, she worked harder than most men. While she loved the farm animals, her true passion was gardening and flowers; she always had the most impressive vegetable harvest and most beautiful flowerbeds. Because of that, their farm always looked picture-perfect like it could be in a magazine.
Richard and Jake loved to travel and had the pleasure of traveling to 48 states together. She enjoyed collecting spoons and thimbles from each place they visited.
We will never be able to imagine all the laughs they had on those road trips, but we are certain they were plentiful. Richard was known for his orneriness and he would stop at no amount of silliness to get her to giggling, which she absolutely loved about him. She would get so tickled and they always had so much fun together.
When it came to talents, she had many; there was really nothing she couldnāt do. But baking might have been the favorite of her family and friends. Not only did she love to bake, but also she was very good at it. She was always making all kinds of sweets for friends and family to enjoy. Her family best knew her for her famous cinnamon rolls.
Jake had the definition of a servant heart and would do anything for anyone. She brought joy to everyone she was around. She was the sweetest, kindest, most caring, and genuine person you could ever meet. For being so small, she had the hugest heart and her smile and laugh would truly light up the room.
Above all else, Jakeās greatest joy was spending time with her family and she especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They meant the world to her.She was so much fun to be around and had the best sense of humor; she was the joy of all our family get-togethers and will be greatly missed.
Thankful for having shared this life are her daughter, Kathy (Wesley) Kelly of Russell, KS; daughter-in-law, Tammi Keller of Hunter, KS; granddaughters: Kendra (Josh) Boor of Lucas, KS, Kelsey (Michael) Porter of Overland Park, KS, Rachel (Chris) Hlad of Lindsborg, KS; grandson, Rich Keller of Lincoln, KS; great-grandchildren: Kaylee, Carter, and Cooper Johnson, Lucas, KS; Abigail and Owen Hlad of Lindsborg, KS, sister-in-law, Grace Keller of Belleville, KS; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Keller; her son, Rick Keller; her parents; and brothers: Gail Thomas and Neil āBuckā Thomas.
Private family-only graveside services will be taking place, and a Celebration of Life Service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 18 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hunter. There will be no visitation.
Memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church.
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